For many women with disabilities in Chitwan, participating in local Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) is the first step toward social empowerment. However, a significant barrier often remains: the “technical gap” in documentation and administrative management. Without the skills to record decisions and manage official records, many women remained on the sidelines of leadership. The Minute Writing Training conducted by the FAIDA project this quarter has directly bridged this gap.
The virtual training sessions, which included youth champions and members of the different organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), went far beyond teaching basic note-taking. Participants were guided through the entire lifecycle of organizational management, from understanding the necessary legal documents for smooth operations to mastering the art of recording executive committee decisions. By focusing on the “beginning to advanced” levels of documentation, the training transformed a seemingly simple task into a powerful tool for institutional authority.
The result of this initiative is a newfound sense of confidence among the participants. Women who previously felt hesitant to speak up in meetings are now taking ownership of the “Minute Book,” which is the heart of any local organization’s legal and functional existence. This shift is critical because accurate minute writing is the foundation of transparency and accountability; it ensures that the voices and decisions of women with disabilities are officially recorded and cannot be ignored by local authorities.
“Before this training, a blank minute book felt like a barrier I couldn’t cross. Today, I don’t just record decisions; I shape the agenda. This training has transformed my hesitation into the confidence to lead and formalize our group’s voice.”- Srijana Sharma, Youth Champion
As these women return to their respective SHGs and OPDs, they are no longer just members—they are emerging as capable administrators and executive candidates. By mastering the “language of the office,” they have secured a stronger presence within their committees.
“Before this training, the renewal process and General Assembly minutes were a maze of confusion for me. I struggled to find the right words and agendas. Today, that uncertainty is gone. I have gained the clarity to document our journey and the skills to keep my organization moving forward with purpose.”-Dil Kumari Lama “Neha”, Vice-President of Khairahani Nagar Apangata Samanwaya Samiti
This technical empowerment ensures that the leadership of women with disabilities is not just a goal on paper, but a practical reality that strengthens the entire disability rights movement at the grassroots level in Chitwan.